Research-Based Sustainability.

Is Raffia Sustainable? All the Facts (& What to Look Out For)

fact-checked

last updated over a month ago by Savanna Stanfield

Is Raffia Sustainable

As the cooler temperatures of autumn and winter begin to fade away in exchange for warmer temperatures, raffia always makes a reappearance.

During the spring and summer, there are a plethora of items that are made from raffia seen in fashion and home decor. 

Raffia craft supplies and gift wrap are also becoming increasingly common.

But as more and more people are looking to make more eco-conscious choices in all aspects of their lives, they wonder about the sustainability of raffia.

This question can be tricky to answer because there are two types of raffia: natural and synthetic. 

For the most part, raffia is a very sustainable textile as long as it is made from all-natural sources.

In this article, we’ll explore both natural and synthetic raffia. We’ll learn what each of them is made of, as well as the most common uses for raffia.

We will also look at more specific aspects of raffia with regard to the effect that each has on the environment. Continue reading to learn more.

Contents
How Is Raffia Made?
Natural Raffia
Synthetic Raffia
What Is Raffia Used For?
Is Raffia Sustainable?
Is Raffia Biodegradable?
Is Raffia Compostable?
Can Raffia Be Recycled?
Is Raffia Eco-Friendly?
Is Raffia Organic?
Is Raffia Durable?
Is Raffia Waterproof?
3 Sustainable Alternatives To Raffia
1. Bamboo
2. Hemp
3. Seaweed
Conclusion
You Might Also Like…

How Is Raffia Made?

In order to better understand the sustainability of raffia, it’s important to first look at how raffia is made. 

Since there are two types of raffia, we will look at the processes that are used to make each of them.

Natural Raffia

Natural raffia (sometimes called paper raffia) is a material that is harvested from the leaves of palm trees. 

The palm trees that are used to make raffia were first found on the island of Madagascar, but they now grow in other parts of Africa as well as some areas of Asia and Central America.

In order to create the individual raffia fibers, local harvesters must cut the green leaves of individual palm fronds.

Once the leaves are cut, they are left out in the sun to dry out. The sun causes the long leaves to turn into brown strings. 

After they are dried out, they are sorted by size and quality. Once they are sorted, the strings can be left as-is, or dyed different colors.

Synthetic Raffia

Most synthetic raffia is made from polypropylene or nylon, although some is made from wood pulp. Both polypropylene and nylon are types of plastic.

While the plastic used to make synthetic raffia is derived from crude oil or other natural sources, those resources have to be processed in a manufacturing facility.

Like natural raffia, synthetic raffia can be dyed different colors.

However, being made from plastic means that designs can also be printed on it to create different effects.

Synthetic raffia can be found in basic colors, metallic colors, and two-toned colors.

There are a wide range of other designs as well, which increases its use.

What Is Raffia Used For? 

The two most common uses for raffia are in fashion and home decor.

In terms of fashion, raffia is most often seen in clothing and accessories that are typically worn during the summer.

Whether or not raffia is natural or synthetic, it is a very lightweight material.

It is also very flexible, which makes it ideal for use in warm-weather footwear such as sandals.

Raffia is also used in fashion for hats, purses or handbags, and jewelry.

For home decor, raffia is used to make baskets, table decorations and table skirts, and ribbons and ropes used to tie around vases.

Although the raffia leaves are typically used in home decor, even the branches and stems of the palm tree can be used to make furniture.

Both natural and synthetic raffia is also used in gift packaging, but synthetic raffia is preferred by many people for this use since it comes in a wider range of colors and designs.

Lastly, raffia can be used in gardening and floristry as a natural-looking way to tie vegetable and flower stems together.

Is Raffia Sustainable?

In order for a product to be sustainable, it has to be produced and maintained under conditions that ensure that it can be used for present and future generations.

Since it comes from a plant source, natural raffia is generally sustainable as long as it is harvested properly.

Most locations where raffia is harvested have regulations in place to ensure proper harvesting.

These regulations prevent over-harvesting because raffia can only be harvested during certain times of the year. This allows time for new trees to grow and mature.

If trees are over-harvested or new trees aren’t planted, the sustainability of raffia will decrease.

Unlike natural raffia, synthetic raffia is not as sustainable because the natural resources used to produce the plastic are non-renewable. They can’t be replaced if they run out.

In order to increase the sustainability of synthetic raffia, manufacturers will have to come up with new and sustainable ways to create it. 

Is Raffia Biodegradable?

Biodegradability means that a material can be decomposed by bacteria or other natural processes.

Natural raffia is biodegradable since it is made from plant materials.

That’s why it is becoming more popular to use for single-use items such as ribbons or gift packaging.

If made from plastic, synthetic raffia is not biodegradable. But synthetic raffia made from wood pulp is.

If you intend to buy raffia for one-time use, check to make sure that it is natural if you’re trying to be more environmentally friendly.

However, just because a one-time use product is biodegradable doesn’t mean that it is more environmentally friendly than other options, such as reusing it.

Is Raffia Compostable?

As is the case with biodegradability, natural raffia is compostable. Composting is essentially the human-controlled version of biodegradation.

But it’s important to remember that natural raffia can be left as-is or dyed different colors.

Before composting raffia, it’s important to know what kind of dye was used to dye it.

If the dye is natural as well, it should be safe to both let it biodegrade and compost it.

But if the dye is synthetic, it can harm the environment for whatever you’re using the compost for due to the chemicals used to make the dye.

If the raffia is synthetic and made from plastic, it is not compostable since plastic is made from a combination of crude oil and chemicals and doesn’t biodegrade easily.

If you’re unsure what type of raffia you have or what type of dye was used, it’s better to be on the safe side and not use it as compost.

Can Raffia Be Recycled?

Most natural raffia is 100% recyclable. However, synthetic raffia made from polypropylene can potentially be recycled too depending on the recycling facility it is taken to.

Polypropylene is used to make many different types of plastic besides raffia, and most types of plastic made from polypropylene can be recycled.

However, there are limits to how much certain things can be recycled. Recycling also uses energy.

So regardless of whether the raffia is natural or synthetic, being dyed reduces its ability to be recycled.

This is because more energy and money has to be used in order to remove the dye and process it.

This is another instance where reusing the raffia as much as you can in lieu of recycling is better for the environment.

Is Raffia Eco-Friendly?

So far, we’ve mentioned that natural raffia is:

  • Derived from a renewable resource (plants)
  • Biodegradable 
  • Compostable
  • Recyclable

All of these factors mean that natural raffia is generally very eco-friendly, especially if it is not dyed.

Being dyed decreases its eco-friendliness depending on what the dye is made of.

On the other hand, most synthetic raffia is:

  • Made from plastic
  • Produced in a factory
  • Not biodegradable 
  • Not compostable

Plastic synthetic raffia is not eco-friendly, regardless of whether or not it is dyed. The materials that are used to make plastic are non-renewable.

The factories and facilities in which it is made also use a lot of energy, as well as have the potential to release pollutants into the environment.

Is Raffia Organic?

Synthetic raffia is not organic. Whether or not natural raffia is organic ultimately depends on where and how it is grown.

If the trees that natural raffia is derived from are grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides, then the raffia can be considered organic.

However, the reality is that no matter where in the world raffia is grown, it is susceptible to pests and disease.

Being certified organic can be an expensive and time-consuming process that some raffia growers may not have the ability to achieve.

Is Raffia Durable?

Both natural and synthetic raffia are very durable.

Being made of dried plant fibers plays a major role in the durability of natural raffia.

Synthetic raffia is durable because it is engineered to be that way, regardless of what it is made of.

Although raffia is durable, it is still very flexible as well.

That’s why it can be used for clothing, woven into baskets, or tied into bows for gift wrap.

Is Raffia Waterproof?

Natural raffia is somewhat water resistant, but it is not waterproof.

If raffia gets wet, it could shrink or lose some of its shape.

It also has the potential to grow mold or rot, especially if it is frequently exposed to rain and moisture.

Plastic raffia is more waterproof than natural raffia, so it is arguably better for use in certain things.

However, the potential to harm the environment offsets the benefit of being waterproof.

3 Sustainable Alternatives To Raffia

The best way to ensure that raffia is sustainable is to choose natural raffia that is not dyed. 

If you’re buying raffia clothing or home decor, the tag will usually specify if the raffia is natural.

If you’re using it for gift wrap or crafting purposes, there are many online retailers that sell both dyed and undyed raffia.

However, if you’re still searching for alternatives to raffia, here are three sustainable suggestions.

1. Bamboo

Like raffia, all parts of the bamboo plant can be used.

Bamboo is also very widely available and grows quickly, so it is a great sustainable option.

Bamboo can be used to make clothing, but it is very widely used in home decor especially as an alternative to wood.

Bamboo can be used to make baskets, utensils, and furniture among other things.

2. Hemp

Hemp is another natural fiber that is derived from plants.

Like raffia, many commercial hemp growers are placed under regulations in order to keep it sustainable.

This makes hemp a great option for clothing and accessories, as well as rope and string such as what would be used in home decor and gift wrap.

3. Seaweed

Another option besides raffia for sustainable gift wrap is seaweed.

Seaweed is durable, renewable, and has very high availability.

Seaweed gift wrap is also very cheap to produce and is 100% biodegradable and compostable.

Conclusion 

If you’re looking for a durable and eco-friendly clothing, decor, or gift wrap option, raffia is one of the best.

In general, raffia is very sustainable and does little harm to the environment as long as it is all natural.

But the more it has to be processed and dyed, the less sustainable and eco-friendly it becomes.

Remember that as with most materials, reusing raffia as much as much as you can instead of recycling it is even better for the environment.

You Might Also Like…

Popular Articles: